Web browser having improved navigational functionality

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include method, systems and computer program for providing improved navigational functionality in a web browser. Aspects include storing a browsing history comprising a sequence of websites and webpages visited by the web browser and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to control a traversal of the browsing history by the web browser. Based on receiving a previous webpage command from the GUI, aspects include returning the web browser to a most recently visited webpage from the browsing history. Based on receiving a previous website command from the GUI, aspects include returning the web browser to a most recently visited website from the browsing history. The most recently visited website is associated with a different domain name than a currently displayed webpage.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to web browsers and more specifically, tomethods, systems, and computer program products for providing improvednavigational functionality in a web browser.

Web browsers are used by individuals to browse the Internet, or anorganization's Intranet, on their desktops, smartphones, tablets andother computing devices. Currently available web browsers, provide anaddress bar, a forward button, a back button and a home button for usersto navigate the Internet. The basic functionality and design of webbrowsers have remained largely unchanged for several years. A typicaluser begins a web browsing session by going to a search engine andsearching for a desired topic. Once the results are returned, the usernavigates through the results and the websites linked to by theseresults.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a method for providing improvednavigational functionality in a web browser is provided. The methodincludes storing a browsing history comprising a sequence of websitesand webpages visited by the web browser and providing a graphical userinterface (GUI) configured to control a traversal of the browsinghistory by the web browser. Based on receiving a previous webpagecommand from the GUI, the method includes returning the web browser to amost recently visited webpage from the browsing history. Based onreceiving a previous website command from the GUI, the method includesreturning the web browser to a most recently visited website from thebrowsing history. The most recently visited website is associated with adifferent domain name than a currently displayed webpage.

In accordance with another embodiment, a web browser having improvednavigational functionality is provided. The processor is configured tostore a browsing history comprising a sequence of websites and webpagesvisited by the web browser and provide a graphical user interface (GUI)configured to control a traversal of the browsing history by the webbrowser. Based on receiving a previous webpage command from the GUI, theprocessor is configured to return the web browser to a most recentlyvisited webpage from the browsing history. Based on receiving a previouswebsite command from the GUI, the processor is configured to return theweb browser to a most recently visited website from the browsinghistory. The most recently visited website is associated with adifferent domain name than a currently displayed webpage.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a computer program product forproviding improved navigational functionality in a web browser includesa non-transitory storage medium readable by a processing circuit andstoring instructions for execution by the processing circuit forperforming a method. The method includes storing a browsing historycomprising a sequence of websites and webpages visited by the webbrowser and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) configured tocontrol a traversal of the browsing history by the web browser. Based onreceiving a previous webpage command from the GUI, the method includesreturning the web browser to a most recently visited webpage from thebrowsing history. Based on receiving a previous website command from theGUI, the method includes returning the web browser to a most recentlyvisited website from the browsing history. The most recently visitedwebsite is associated with a different domain name than a currentlydisplayed webpage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a processingsystem for practice of the teachings herein;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a web browser in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a web browser in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a web browser in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a web browser in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for providing improved navigationalfunctionality in a web browser in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and web browsing 96.

In exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and computer programproducts for providing improved navigational functionality in a webbrowser are provided. In general, web browsers include an address bar, aforward button, a back button and a home button that are used tonavigate the Internet. In exemplary embodiments, a web browser isprovided that includes improved navigational functionality in the formof one or more additional navigational options. In exemplaryembodiments, the web browser is configured to allow a user to not onlyselect to return to a previous page but also to allow a user to returnto a previous website, a previous search page or to a previous webbrowsing session. In exemplary embodiments, these functions can beprovided by separate graphical user interface icons, i.e., buttons, orthese function can be provided by detecting specific user actions withexisting graphical user interface icons.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an embodiment of a processing system100 for implementing the teachings herein. In this embodiment, thesystem 100 has one or more central processing units (processors) 101 a,101 b, 101 c, etc. (collectively or generically referred to asprocessor(s) 101). In one embodiment, each processor 101 may include areduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. Processors 101are coupled to system memory 114 and various other components via asystem bus 113. Read only memory (ROM) 102 is coupled to the system bus113 and may include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which controlscertain basic functions of system 100.

FIG. 3 further depicts an input/output (I/O) adapter 107 and a networkadapter 106 coupled to the system bus 113. I/O adapter 107 may be asmall computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with ahard disk 103 and/or tape storage drive 105 or any other similarcomponent. I/O adapter 107, hard disk 103, and tape storage device 105are collectively referred to herein as mass storage 104. Operatingsystem 120 for execution on the processing system 100 may be stored inmass storage 104. A network adapter 106 interconnects bus 113 with anoutside network 116 enabling data processing system 100 to communicatewith other such systems. A screen (e.g., a display monitor) 115 isconnected to system bus 113 by display adaptor 112, which may include agraphics adapter to improve the performance of graphics intensiveapplications and a video controller. In one embodiment, adapters 107,106, and 112 may be connected to one or more I/O busses that areconnected to system bus 113 via an intermediate bus bridge (not shown).Suitable I/O buses for connecting peripheral devices such as hard diskcontrollers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically includecommon protocols, such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI).Additional input/output devices are shown as connected to system bus 113via user interface adapter 108 and display adapter 112. A keyboard 109,mouse 110, and speaker 111 all interconnected to bus 113 via userinterface adapter 108, which may include, for example, a Super I/O chipintegrating multiple device adapters into a single integrated circuit.

In exemplary embodiments, the processing system 100 includes a graphicsprocessing unit 130. Graphics processing unit 130 is a specializedelectronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to acceleratethe creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to adisplay. In general, graphics processing unit 130 is very efficient atmanipulating computer graphics and image processing and has a highlyparallel structure that makes it more effective than general-purposeCPUs for algorithms where processing of large blocks of data is done inparallel.

Thus, as configured in FIG. 3, the system 100 includes processingcapability in the form of processors 101, storage capability includingsystem memory 114 and mass storage 104, input means such as keyboard 109and mouse 110, and output capability including speaker 111 and display115. In one embodiment, a portion of system memory 114 and mass storage104 collectively store an operating system to coordinate the functionsof the various components shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a web browser 200 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the web browser 200includes an address bar 202, a forward icon 204 and a backward icon 206that are used to navigate the Internet. The address bar 202 allows auser to enter an address of a desired webpage and the forward icon 204is used to advance forward in a browsing history of the web browser.Likewise, the backward icon 206 is used to move backwards through thebrowsing history of the web browser. The browsing history of the webbrowser is a record of the webpages that have previously been viewed bythe web browser.

In exemplary embodiments, the forward icon 204 and the backward icon 206can be configured to allow a user to selectively navigate through thebrowsing history of the web browser at various levels of granularity byexecuting different actions with respect to the icons. In traditionalweb browsers, a web browser 200 is configured to move forward orbackward in the browsing history by a single webpage by detecting asingle left-click on the forward icon 204 or the backward icon 206,respectively.

As used herein, a webpage is a specific page that is part of a website.For example, a website may be www.wikipedia.org that is made up ofvarious websites that have addresses that include the domain,www.wikipedia.org. In one embodiment, the web browser 200 is configuredto move forward or backward in the browsing history to the next or lastdistinct website by detecting a double left-click on the forward icon204 or the backward icon 206, respectively. In another embodiment, theweb browser 200 is configured to move forward or backward in thebrowsing history to the next or last distinct website by detecting asingle right-click on the forward icon 204 or the backward icon 206,respectively.

In exemplary embodiments, the web browser 200 is configured to allow auser to not only select to return to a previous webpage but also toallow a user to return to a previous website, a previous search page orto a previous web browsing session. In exemplary embodiments, thesefunctions can be provided by separate graphical user interface icons,i.e., buttons, or these function can be provided by detecting specificuser actions with existing graphical user interface icons.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a web browser 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the web browser 300includes an address bar 302, a forward icon 304, a back page icon 306and a back site page icon 308 that are used to navigate the Internet. Inexemplary embodiments, the first backward icon 306 is configured tocause the web browser 300 to navigate to a previous website in thebrowsing history of the web browser and the back site icon 308 isconfigured to cause the web browser 300 to navigate to a previouswebpage in a browsing history of the web browser. In one example, abrowsing history includes the following:

1. startpage.com “employee engagement”

2. en.wikpedia.org/wiki/Employee_engagement

3. en.wikpedia.org/wiki/Job_satisfaction

4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_A.Locke

5. engageforsuccess.org/about/what-is-employee-engagement/

6. engageforsuccess.org/about/who-is-involved

7. engageforsuccess.org/about/why-does-it-matter/

8. scholar.google.com “employee engagement”

9. factorhappiness.at/downloads/quellen/s17_harter.pdf

10. citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.182.2845& . . .

11. emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/02621710210426864

12. startpage.com “job engagement scale”

13. startpage.com “job engagement scale”

14. lib.sun.ac.za/Library/eng/finding/CPDWell %282011%29/Rich.pdf

15. startpage.com “utrecht work engagement scale”.

The forward icon 304 and the back page icon 306 are configured toadvance/traverse the browsing history one webpage at a time. Forexample, if a user is currently viewing page 6 of the above browsinghistory, a click on the forward icon 304 will take the user to page 7 ofthe browsing history. Likewise, if a user is currently viewing page 6 ofthe above browsing history a click on the first backward icon 306 willtake the user to page 5 of the browsing history. If a user is currentlyviewing page 6 of the above browsing history, a click on the back siteicon 308 will take the user to page 4 of the browsing history, as it isthe most recent website that has a domain that is different from thecurrently displayed website.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a web browser 400 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the web browser 400includes an address bar 402, a forward icon 404, a back page icon 406, aback site icon 408 and a previous search icon 410 that are used tonavigate the Internet. In exemplary embodiments, the back page icon 406is configured to cause the web browser 400 to navigate to a previouswebsite in the browsing history of the web browser and the back siteicon 408 is configured to cause the web browser 400 to navigate to aprevious webpage in a browsing history of the web browser. The previoussearch icon 410 is configured to cause the web browser 400 to navigateto the most recently viewed webpage that is associated with a searchengine. For example, using the web browsing history shown above, if auser is currently viewing page 6 of the above browsing history, a clickon the previous search icon 410 will take the user to page 1 of thebrowsing history.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a web browser 500 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the web browser 500includes an address bar 502, a forward icon 504 and a backward icon 512that are used to navigate the Internet. In exemplary embodiments, thebackward icon 512 may be a traditional backward icon that the user canoptionally expand, for example by right-clicking on the backward icon512, to present the user with a plurality of navigation options. Thenavigation options may include, but are not limited to, a back page icon506, a back site icon 508, a previous search icon 510 and a previoussession icon 514. In other embodiments, the web browser 500 may beconfigured to display the back page icon 506, the back site icon 508,the previous search icon 510 and the previous session icon 514 bydefault.

In exemplary embodiments, the previous session icon 514 is configured tocause the web browser 500 to navigate to the most recently viewedwebpage that is associated with a previous web browsing session. Forexample, if a user browses the Internet via the web browser 500 andstops for a time period before resuming browsing, the previous sessionicon 514 can be used to quickly jump to the last website visited duringthe previous browsing session. In exemplary embodiments, the user canutilize the settings of the web browser to identify a time period ofinactivity that will be associated with a session break.

In exemplary embodiments, a web browser may be configured to permit auser to specify that a new browsing session is beginning, which can beused either as an alternative to, or in combination with, thesession-criterion of a time period of inactivity. In situations where auser is working on different projects that involve web browsingsessions, the user can use the web browser to save the browsing historyfor each project as different sessions. As a result, the user canquickly transition from one session to the next and have access to therelevant browsing history.

In one example, a user works on a first project using a web browser,completes that project and saves the web browsing session as sessionone. Upon completion of the first project, the user sends a deliverableto a client, based on that first session. The user then progresses ontoworking on a second project using the web browser and saves the webbrowsing session as session two. Upon completion of the second project,the user sends a second deliverable to a second client. The user thenbegins working on a third project. While working on the third project,the user receives a question from the client about the deliverable whichrequires the user to revisit the second project. The user can use theback session function of the web browser to quickly revert to sessiontwo and to revisit the webpages and websites the user viewed during hiswork on project one.

Although the above advanced navigational controls for the web browsershave been discussed above in terms of expanded backward navigationalcontrols, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art thatsuch controls can also be used to navigate forward through a browsinghistory of a web browser. In addition, while specific navigationalcontrols have been discussed, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to such controls. Rather, the specific navigational controlsare provided as examples.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram of a method 600 for providingimproved navigational functionality in a web browser in accordance withan exemplary embodiment is shown. As shown at block 602, the method 600includes storing a browsing history comprising a sequence of websitesand webpages visited by a web browser. Next, as shown at block 604, themethod 600 includes providing a graphical user interface (GUI)configured to control a traversal of the browsing history by the webbrowser. The method 600 includes returning the web browser to a mostrecently visited webpage from the browsing history based on receiving aprevious webpage command from the GUI, as shown at block 606. The method600 also includes returning the web browser to a most recently visitedwebsite from the browsing history based on receiving a previous websitecommand from the GUI, as shown at block 608. The most recently visitedwebsite is associated with a different domain name than a currentlydisplayed webpage. In exemplary embodiments, the previous websitecommand can be created by a user clicking on a previous website icon inthe GUI or by a user double clicking on a previous webpage icon in theGUI.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 8, the method 600 includes returningthe web browser to a most recently visited search page from the browsinghistory based on receiving a previous search command from the GUI, asshown at block 610. In exemplary embodiments, the previous searchcommand can be created by a user clicking on a previous search icon inthe GUI or by a right clicking on a previous webpage icon in the GUI.The method 600 includes returning the web browser to a most recentlyvisited website from a previous browsing session from the browsinghistory based on receiving a previous session command from the GUI, asshown at block 612. In exemplary embodiments, the previous web browsingsession in the browsing history is identified based on an elapsed timebetween two adjacent websites exceeding a threshold time period.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for providingimproved navigational functionality in a web browser, the computerimplemented method comprises: storing a browsing history comprising asequence of websites and webpages visited by the web browser, wherein awebpage is a specific page that is part of a website and each websitecomprises one or more webpages; providing a graphical user interface(GUI) configured to control a traversal of the browsing history by theweb browser; determining a current position of the web browser withinthe browsing history, the current position identifying a current webpageof a current website; based on receiving a previous search command fromthe GUI, identifying a next most recently visited search website fromthe current position of the web browser in the browsing history that isassociated with a search engine domain and returning the web browser tothe next most recently visited search website; based on receiving aprevious webpage command from the GUI, returning the web browser to amost recently visited webpage from the browsing history; and based onreceiving a previous website command from the GUI, identifying a domainof the current website and returning the web browser to a most recentlyvisited website from the browsing history having a different domain thanthe current website, wherein the most recently visited website isassociated with a different domain name than a currently displayedwebpage.
 2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the GUIincludes a previous website icon that is configured to create theprevious website command.
 3. The computer implemented method of claim 1,wherein the GUI includes a previous search icon that is configured tocreate the previous search command.
 4. The computer implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising returning the web browser to a lastwebsite of a previous web browsing session in the browsing history basedon receiving a previous session command from the GUI.
 5. The computerimplemented method of claim 4, wherein the previous web browsing sessionin the browsing history is identified based on one of an elapsed timebetween two adjacent websites exceeding a threshold time period and auser indication of a new browsing session.
 6. The computer implementedmethod of claim 4, wherein the GUI includes a previous session icon thatis configured to create the previous session command.
 7. A computerprogram product for providing improved navigational functionality in aweb browser, the computer program product comprising: a non-transitorystorage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructionsfor execution by the processing circuit for performing a methodcomprising: storing a browsing history comprising a sequence of websitesand webpages visited by the web browser, wherein a webpage is a specificpage that is part of a website and each website comprises one or morewebpages; providing a graphical user interface (GUI) configured tocontrol a traversal of the browsing history by the web browser;determining a current position of the web browser within the browsinghistory, the current position identifying a current webpage of a currentwebsite; based on receiving a previous search command from the GUI,identifying a next most recently visited search website from the currentposition of the web browser in the browsing history that is associatedwith a search engine domain and returning the web browser to the nextmost recently visited search website; based on receiving a previouswebpage command from the GUI, returning the web browser to a mostrecently visited webpage from the browsing history; and based onreceiving a previous website command from the GUI, identifying a domainof the current website and returning the web browser to a most recentlyvisited website from the browsing history having a different domain thanthe current website, wherein the most recently visited website isassociated with a different domain name than a currently displayedwebpage.
 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the GUIincludes a previous website icon that is configured to create theprevious website command.
 9. The computer program product of claim 7,wherein the GUI includes a previous search icon that is configured tocreate the previous search command.
 10. The computer program product ofclaim 7, further comprising returning the web browser to a last websiteof a previous web browsing session in the browsing history based onreceiving a previous session command from the GUI.
 11. The computerprogram product of claim 10, wherein the previous web browsing sessionin the browsing history is identified based on one of an elapsed timebetween two adjacent websites exceeding a threshold time period and auser indication of a new browsing session.
 12. The computer programproduct of claim 10, wherein the GUI includes a previous session iconthat is configured to create the previous session command.
 13. Acomputer device having improved web browsing functionality includes aprocessor in communication with one or more types of memory, theprocessor configured to: store a browsing history comprising a sequenceof websites and webpages visited by a web browser, wherein a webpage isa specific page that is part of a website and each website comprises oneor more webpages; provide a graphical user interface (GUI) configured tocontrol a traversal of the browsing history by the web browser;determine a current position of the web browser within the browsinghistory, the current position identifying a current webpage of a currentwebsite; based on receiving a previous search command from the GUI,identify a next most recently visited search website from the currentposition of the web browser in the browsing history that is associatedwith a search engine domain and return the web browser to the next mostrecently visited search website; based on receiving a previous webpagecommand from the GUI, return the web browser to a most recently visitedwebpage from the browsing history; and based on receiving a previouswebsite command from the GUI, identify a domain of the current websiteand return the web browser to a most recently visited website from thebrowsing history having a different domain than the current website,wherein the most recently visited website is associated with a differentdomain name than a currently displayed webpage.
 14. The computer deviceof claim 13, wherein the GUI includes a previous website icon that isconfigured to create the previous website command.
 15. The computerdevice of claim 13, wherein the GUI includes a previous search icon thatis configured to create the previous search command.
 16. The computerdevice of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured toreturn the web browser to a last website of a previous web browsingsession in the browsing history based on receiving a previous sessioncommand from the GUI.
 17. The computer device of claim 16, wherein theprevious web browsing session in the browsing history is identifiedbased on one of an elapsed time between two adjacent websites exceedinga threshold time period and a user indication of a new browsing session.